Entertaining: How to Style Your Dining Table for a Shrove Tuesday Feast
The day before Lent is traditionally a chance to dine on rich food and lots of pancakes, so set your table stylishly and tuck in
Jo Simmons
11 February 2015
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several books on design and numerous features for glossy homes mags over the years. For Houzz, I cover decorating ideas and trends and interview designers and professionals for their insights. My favourite pieces to write, though, are Houzz Tours, as I love exploring and learning about real homes. Call me curious — or nosy!
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several... More
We typically consume pancakes on Shrove Tuesday (hence its nickname, Pancake Day), but as the day before Ash Wednesday, when many Christians begin their annual fast for Lent, Shrove Tuesday is also traditionally a time of feasting. In France, it’s known as Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday, because this was the last night to eat a dinner of rich, indulgent foods before a period of fasting.
Even if you won’t be giving up chocolate or custard creams for Lent, you can still mark this tradition at home. Whether you pile up pancakes by the stack or cook a three-course feast, make sure you serve it all at a suitably stylish table. Here are eight suggestions for fresh, seasonal settings.
Even if you won’t be giving up chocolate or custard creams for Lent, you can still mark this tradition at home. Whether you pile up pancakes by the stack or cook a three-course feast, make sure you serve it all at a suitably stylish table. Here are eight suggestions for fresh, seasonal settings.
Celebrate spring
By Pancake Day, spring is just around the corner, so celebrate the onset of warm days and new life with a table brimming with greenery. Little potted hyacinths or narcissi look gloriously fresh, and you can add cut flowers and sprays. Choose foliage, too, that can be used to create some height and help produce the feeling of lush abundance. Plain white china and glasses that pick up the green theme are the perfect finishing touches.
By Pancake Day, spring is just around the corner, so celebrate the onset of warm days and new life with a table brimming with greenery. Little potted hyacinths or narcissi look gloriously fresh, and you can add cut flowers and sprays. Choose foliage, too, that can be used to create some height and help produce the feeling of lush abundance. Plain white china and glasses that pick up the green theme are the perfect finishing touches.
Go bright and bold
Fresh, zingy shades create an upbeat feel, just right for this almost-springtime celebration. A bright runner in yellow zigzags is contrasted here by the Panton chairs in dramatic black. The wall decoration of fabric rosettes brings further fun and colour. All the table needs is to be dressed with stylish white china.
Fresh, zingy shades create an upbeat feel, just right for this almost-springtime celebration. A bright runner in yellow zigzags is contrasted here by the Panton chairs in dramatic black. The wall decoration of fabric rosettes brings further fun and colour. All the table needs is to be dressed with stylish white china.
Take it OTT!
In some cultures, Shrove Tuesday celebrations go beyond simply eating pancakes or a big dinner. They involve dressing up, parades, dancing and a little debauchery. So pour some of that rule-breaking Mardi Gras spirit into your decorating, with bunting, lanterns and streamers above the table.
In some cultures, Shrove Tuesday celebrations go beyond simply eating pancakes or a big dinner. They involve dressing up, parades, dancing and a little debauchery. So pour some of that rule-breaking Mardi Gras spirit into your decorating, with bunting, lanterns and streamers above the table.
Warm up with tartan
Shrove Tuesday is a moveable feast, changing date each year but typically falling in late February. So with the weather still chilly, channel some warm Scottish style by draping your table with a tartan cloth. Add branches laden with berries and chunky candles to produce a warm glow.
Ways to weave tartan into your home
Shrove Tuesday is a moveable feast, changing date each year but typically falling in late February. So with the weather still chilly, channel some warm Scottish style by draping your table with a tartan cloth. Add branches laden with berries and chunky candles to produce a warm glow.
Ways to weave tartan into your home
Choose carnival colours
Be inspired by the famous Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans and borrow some of its vibrant colours for your table. Tropical greens, yellows and blues will add zing to any table. (Frilly light shades are optional!)
Be inspired by the famous Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans and borrow some of its vibrant colours for your table. Tropical greens, yellows and blues will add zing to any table. (Frilly light shades are optional!)
Craft it yourself
Bring some of the outside in by crafting a rustic decoration for the centre of your table. Find a shapely stick and wrap evergreens and even seasonal flowers around it. It’s a low-cost, creative way to give your Pancake Day table personality.
Bring some of the outside in by crafting a rustic decoration for the centre of your table. Find a shapely stick and wrap evergreens and even seasonal flowers around it. It’s a low-cost, creative way to give your Pancake Day table personality.
Make it opulent
Crowd your table with beautiful pieces to create a twinkly, opulent feel, full of detail. Elegant clear and purple glasses, neat stacks of delicate porcelain at each setting, candles in hurricane lamps, flower sprigs in small, shiny vases, dishes of colourful macarons… It’s an abundant, indulgent and luxurious look that’s perfect for a feast.
Eclectic table décor that says more is more
Crowd your table with beautiful pieces to create a twinkly, opulent feel, full of detail. Elegant clear and purple glasses, neat stacks of delicate porcelain at each setting, candles in hurricane lamps, flower sprigs in small, shiny vases, dishes of colourful macarons… It’s an abundant, indulgent and luxurious look that’s perfect for a feast.
Eclectic table décor that says more is more
Steer towards the Scandi
Take a leaf out of the Scandi style manual and give your dinner table an effortlessly elegant, welcoming look. A big white linen cloth makes a beautiful backdrop to white china, simple glassware and slate serving platters.
TELL US…
How do you celebrate Shrove Tuesday in your home? Share your traditions and photos in the Comments below.
Take a leaf out of the Scandi style manual and give your dinner table an effortlessly elegant, welcoming look. A big white linen cloth makes a beautiful backdrop to white china, simple glassware and slate serving platters.
TELL US…
How do you celebrate Shrove Tuesday in your home? Share your traditions and photos in the Comments below.
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how I love the kitchen table every day of the week not just on high days & holidays. Love articles like this that celebrate the table!